- Maintains that “faithfulness to the Gospel demands that we also work to change unjust systems that perpetuate economic inequity”
- Calls for “an economy ... which makes adequate resources available to all” by means of federally enforced, radically redistributive fiscal policies designed to “reverse economic disparities”
- Believes that the government should play a major role in wealth redistribution
See also: Catholic Campaign for Human Development Pax Christi USA
Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good
The roots of NETWORK: A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby date back to December 17, 1971, when 47 Catholic Sisters from numerous U.S.-based orders gathered for a weekend meeting in Washington, DC, to “explore how women religious might speak out as one voice to our federal government on behalf of 'justice for all.'” Animated by a belief that “faithfulness to the Gospel demands that we also work to change unjust systems that perpetuate economic inequity,” these women decided to form a “network” of Sisters to “lobby for federal policies and legislation that promote economic and social justice.”
In 1997, NETWORK was one of more than 100 leftist organizations that co-sponsored and launched the so-called “Progressive Challenge,” in an effort to unite their activities and talking points under a “multi-issue progressive agenda.” To view a list of many of these co-sponsors, which worked closely with the Congressional Progressive Caucus, click here.
Today NETWORK is composed of thousands of members who serve as the organization's sole source of financial support. They live in every state and congressional district in the United States; some reside in other countries. Many are Catholic Sisters; some are priests, deacons, and brothers; most are lay people. To keep these members abreast of its activities and priorities, NETWORK sends them its quarterly magazine, Connection, as well as its e-mail Legislative Update. Moreover, the organization encourages its members to publicly articulate their positions on key issues by writing letters to the editors of their local newspapers; contacting their congressional representatives through NETWORK's Legislative Action Center; participating in educational events; and promoting legislative advocacy in their communities. NETWORK also dispatches professional lobbyists to Washington on a regular basis.
The bulk of NETWORK's attention is devoted to the following major issues:
œ Economic Justice: Asserting that “each person has a right to the conditions for living a decent life, including nourishment and a safe place in which to raise a family,” NETWORK calls for “an economy ... which makes adequate resources available to all” by means of federally enforced, radically redistributive fiscal policies designed to “reverse economic disparities.” Toward that end, the organization supports the abolition of “tax policies that favor those with the most over those with less”; “a strong safety net” of public assistance to help the poor meet their “basic human needs”; “a federal budget that promotes jobs and creates meaningful work when insufficient jobs are available through private markets”; and a structure of “progressive taxation” that requires the wealthy to “invest the most [money] in the common good.”
œ Hunger: Claiming that “hunger is widespread in the United States,” NETWORK urges an increase in “federal programs that provide immediate food assistance.”
œ Global Economic Justice: Rejecting the free-trade policies that “have unevenly benefited people and, in some settings, [have] constrained economic development among the millions of people who live in poverty,” NETWORK advocates “fair trade” practices that would be more beneficial to workers in poorer countries.
œ Housing: NETWORK seeks a guarantee that “those with the least economic power” can have “access” to what it calls the “essential human right” of “affordable, safe housing.” The agent best suited to bring about such a state of affairs, says NETWORK, is the federal government.
œ Jobs and Labor Issues: According to NETWORK, all people are entitled to earn a “living wage” and to be protected from the injustices of "wage theft." The organization also stresses the need to ensure "equal pay for women and men," contending that women currently are underpaid in comparison to their male counterparts.
œ Comprehensive Immigration Reform: NETWORK calls for a “realistic path to earned legalization for people in the U.S. without status.” It also supports the DREAM Act, which which would allow illegal-alien students to attend college at the reduced tuition rates normally reserved for in-state legal residents, and to earn conditional permanent residency and a path to citizenship.
œ Healthcare: NETWORK lauded the passage and signing (in March 2010) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act as “a historic step” but supports additional steps as well, including offering health insurance to illegal aliens.
œ Peacemaking: A member of the United for Peace and Justice coalition, NETWORK contends that America should cut its defense budget; “help rebuild countries like Iraq that have been damaged by our military action”; and “develop ethical foreign policies that emphasize conflict resolution through multilateral diplomacy instead of unilateral U.S. military action.”
œ Ecology: NETWORK believes that “government investment in transportation, construction ... and infrastructure development” should “go green,” a measure that would entail not only a diminished reliance on fossil fuels, but also the “rehabilitating/retrofitting of public housing and public buildings so they will become energy-efficient.”
œ Ex-offender Rights: NETWORK claims that high prisoner-recidivism rates “result in large part from the lack of [public] resources for ex-offenders returning to their community.” The organization also contends that convicted felons should be permitted to vote in political elections and to receive benefits such as welfare, housing assistance, and food stamps.
NETWORK's partner organizations include, among others, the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good, and Pax Christi USA.
Partners and Coalition Groups
Catholic Campaign for Human Development
The Catholic Campaign for Human Development is the domestic anti-poverty, social justice program of the U.S. Catholic bishops.Its mission is to address the root causes of poverty in America through promotion and support of community-controlled, self-help organizations and through transformative education.
Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good
Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good is a non-partisan, non-profit, 501c3 organization dedicated to promoting the fullness of the Catholic Social Tradition in the public square. Founded in July of 2005, our mission is to provide information to Catholics about Church social teaching as it relates to public participation in our society, and to advance the prophetic voice of the Catholic social tradition.
Coalition on Human Needs
The Coalition on Human Needs is an alliance of national organizations working together to promote public policies that address the needs of low-income and other vulnerable people.
Faithful Reform in Healthcare
An interfaith coalition of national, state and local organizations and individuals committed to working together on health care reform.
Fighting Poverty with Faith
"As communities of faith, we are grounded in a shared tradition of justice and compassion, and we are called upon to hold ourselves and our communities accountable to the moral standard of this tradition..."
Friends Committee on National Legislation
The Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) fields the largest team of registered peace lobbyists in Washington, DC. Founded in 1943 by members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), FCNL staff and volunteers work with a nationwide network of tens of thousands of people from many different races, religions, and cultures to advocate social and economic justice, peace, and good government.
Half in Ten
The Half in Ten campaign believes that a clear goal and tested strategies to achieve it are crucial for success. Accordingly, setting a 50 percent reduction goal is our first step toward eliminating poverty. We can accomplish that goal if we deepen and expand the public will to move forward, and if we channel that will toward proven policy solutions.
Interfaith Immigration Coalition
The Interfaith Immigration Coalition is a partnership of faith-based organizations committed to enacting fair and humane immigration reform that reflects our mandate to welcome the stranger and treat all human beings with dignity and respect. Coalition members work together to advocate for just and equitable immigration policies, educate faith communities, and serve immigrant populations around the country.
JustFaith
JustFaith Ministries strives to provide faith formation processes and resources that emphasize the Gospel message of peace and justice, Catholic social teaching and the intersection of spirituality and action.The aim of JustFaith Ministries is to enable people of faith to develop a passion for justice and to express this passion in concrete acts of social ministry.
Justice for Immigrants
Sponsored by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Justice for Immigrants aims to unite and mobilize a growing network of Catholic institutions, individuals, and other persons of good faith in support of a broad legalization program and comprehensive immigration reform. Its goal is to maximize the Church's influence on this issue, consistent with the immigration reform principles enunciated in the bishops' pastoral letter on migration.
Leadership Conference of Women Religious
The Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) is an association of the leaders of congregations of Catholic women religious in the United States. The conference has more than 1500 members, who represent more than 90 percent of the 59,000 women religious in the United States. Founded in 1956, the conference assists its members to collaboratively carry out their service of leadership to further the mission of the Gospel in today's world.
Maryknoll Office of Global Concerns
The Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns: Peace, Social Justice and Integrity of Creation, is a collaborative ministry of the Maryknoll Sisters, the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers and the Maryknoll Lay Missioners. Through theological reflection on and systemic analysis of the reality lived and observed by Maryknoll missioners around the world, the office facilitates among Maryknollers, as Catholics and agents of Christ’s Gospel, a personal and corporate commitment to peace, social justice and the integrity of creation.
National Low Income Housing Coalition
The National Low Income Housing Coalition is dedicated solely to achieving socially just public policy that assures people with the lowest incomes in the United States have affordable and decent homes.
Pax Christi USA
Pax Christi USA strives to create a world that reflects the Peace of Christ by exploring, articulating, and witnessing to the call of Christian nonviolence. This work begins in personal life and extends to communities of reflection and action to transform structures of society. Pax Christi USA rejects war, preparations for war, and every form of violence and domination. It advocates primacy of conscience, economic and social justice, and respect for creation.
Sisters of Mercy of the Americas
Sisters of Mercy are an international community of Roman Catholic women religious vowed to serve people who suffer from poverty, sickness and lack of education with a special concern for women and children.
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